For the vast majority of their existence (about 99% of human history), humans were foragers. It is hard to know anything certain about the lives of prehistoric hunter-gatherers (also called foragers) because they left no written records. We can make inferences and generalization from the archaeological record and by studying present day foraging societies, as some foraging communities still exist today. However, many foraging cultures have changed substantially over time from contact with food producing (agricultural) societies and from their own innovations and adaptations in addition to trade and other exchanges. We cannot impose present day situations on past societies, but through careful research and cross-cultural studies, archaeologists have been able to make better inferences about ancient foragers.
On each page, a different present day foraging community is highlighted. Using this information, you can compare these societies and make your own inferences about the lives of hunter-gatherers, past and present.